Floor treating machine



Oct. 27, 1931. w. s. FINNELL FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet l 777/ 4 3/ Jo/i" Oct. 27, 1931. w. s, FINNELL 1,829,132

FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 27, 1931. w, s, F|NNE| 1,829,132

FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ays.

Oct. 27, 1931. v w, s, FINNELL 1,829,132

FLOOR TREATING MACHINE Filed June 16, 192 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i\\\\\\\\\\\ "lull nnnummm m f m w qm wa as sand-papering, waxing,

Patented Oct. 27, 1931 WALTER S. FINNELL, OF HANNIBAL, MISSOURI,

OF HANNIBAL, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FLOOR TREATING, MACHINE I s Application filed June 16,

My inventionrelates-to floor treating machines adapted to scrubbing, sand-papering, waxing, polishing, and the like, uses and has to do particularly with means for readily adapting and adjusting such machines to the surface under treatment.

Floor treatin machines according to my invention may be put to a variety of uses, for example, they may be used at one time as scrubbing machines and at other times polishing and the and it is highly desirable that be readily adaptable to such like machines, such machines uses with a minimum of manipulation and with the substitution of as possible. Furthermore, it is a well nown fact that the floors which may be treated, in many instances, have irregular surfaces and in order to effect uniformit in treating such floors, it is desirable that the machines compensate for such irregularities.

, An object of my invention is to provide a floor treating machine embodying these highly desirable features at the same time, providing a compact machine which is inexpensive to manufacture and which is easy for the ordinary person to manipulate and transform for the various uses to which it may be put. Another object is to provide means whereby the portion or portions of such machine which come in contact with the surface under treatment are caused to automatically adjust themselves to any and all irregularities existent in such surface.

as few, if any parts My invention as illustrated in the drawings embodies a rotary brush ring structure which is adapted to carry brushes which contact with the surface under treatment, this entire structure being termed for explanation purposes the brush ring structure; and a further object of my invention is to provide for ready disengagement of such brush ring structure from its driving mechanism, whereby the brush rin structure may be inverted to transform the machine for sandpapering. waxing, polishing, etc. purposes.

Still another object of my invention is to provide for an effective distribution of the scrubbing solution to the interior of the brush ring structure and the brushes carrled there- 1926. Serial No. 116,371.

by when the machine is em loyed as a scrubbing machine, and, also, w

ereby the scrubbing solution fed to the brushes is localized and positively directed to the surface under treatment in such a manner as not to be distributed promiscuously throughout the brush ring structure.

A further object is to provide a machine of e character referred to which may be readily folded into a compact mass and locked same from one room will become obvious as gresses and by reference in that position when not in use, thereby cilitating storage and transportation of the to another.

Other and further objects and advantages this description proto the annexed drawings wherein,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete floor treating machine embodying my invention, the driving mechanism of such machine ing shown in dotted lines. Also, in this figure the handle of the machine and its associated mechanism are shown folded over in knife-like fashion in dotted lines and locked storage or transportation, it bein the main body of the machine ready for understood that the folded machine may e transported after folding by raising the same to an upright position.

of the fluid tank carried by the ham Figure 1 is an enlarged view of a portion la and owing a preferred form of liquid supply controlling means in section and in open position. 4

tion taken at the structure and the owing e brush ring structurewith the brushes removed; however, one brush is shown in position in dotted lmes.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental detail view of the universal connection between the brush ring structure and its driving mechanlsm.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the brush ring structure.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the ush ring structure in its inverted position ASSIG-NOR '1'0 FINNEL SYSTEM, INC I till with a cushioning plate and layer of sandpaper applied thereto ready for the. sandpapering of a floor.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a portion of the brush ring structure similar to Fig. 6, showing burlap material and wax applied thereto for the application of wax to the floor surface.

Fig. 7 is a reduced perspective view of a hoop for retaining the sand-paper or other floor treatment material in place on the 1nverted brush ring structure.

Fig. 8 is a reduced perspective view of the pad adapted to be carried on the underside of the inverted brush ring structure for cushioning the sand-paper or other floor treatment material against the floor under treatment.

Referring particularly to the drawings, a particular type of floor treating machine is shown for illustration purposes only, because it will be obvious that my invention may be readily applied to machines of varied construction. In the drawings, the machine shown may comprise a housing 1 enclosing the driving mechanism which may consist of an electric motor 2,.driving shaft 3, a worm housing 4, (see Fig. 1) which encloses the worm ear 4 and worm 4". The rear end of the housing is mounted upon an axle carrying a pair of wheels 5 while the front end of the housing is supported by the brush ring structure 6 (see Fig. 1). In this manner the machine may be readily moved over the floor, and, at the same time, suficient pressure is brought to bear, by the weight of the machine, upon the brush ring structure to cause the brushes 7, or whatever may be in contact with the surface under treatment, to properly perform the work intended. The contour of the machine as'a whole is such as to per1n1t the same to be moved around and under furniture, and the like, which may be in the room and a rubber guard 8 is provided at the front end of the machine to prevent marring of the woodwork or furniture should the machine happen to come in contact therewith.

The machine is propelled across the floor by means of the handle 9 which is hinged in knife-like fashion to the housing 1 as at 10, the hinge being of such construction and the handle being of such shape that the handle may be folded back over and upon the housing 1 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The handle 9 may be of an desired'length with a grip portion at the rec end thereof, such grip portion being preferably covered with rubber 9 or some other soft material which will not tend to injure the hand.

The motor 2 is connected to a suitable circuit by the electric cord 11 and an electric switch 12 of obvious construction is mounted upon the handle 9 by means of a clamp 13. When the machine is not in use the elec tric cord 11 may be wound upon suitably provided supports 12 (see Fig. 1).

- a lateral projection on A tank 14 is also removably mounted upon the handle 9 by means of hooks 14 engaging the handle 9 and by the clip 14*. This tank is adapted to contain a scrubbing solution such as plain water or water with some scrubbing powder or fluid in solution, and this tank is connected to a water pipe 15 by means of a flexible connector 16. The outlet or nozzle 15 of pipe 15 extends to and is directed'at the central portion of the brush ring structure 6. The tank 14 is mounted on the handle 9 at such a position that its lowermost portion is at alltimes above the outlet of the nozzle 15? thereby insuring flow of fluid from the tank 14 to the nozzle at all times when connection is made between the tank and the connector 16. The fluid from the tank 14 is admitted to the pipe 15 manually at desired intervals. This control may comprise a valve seat 16 (Fig. 1 formed in the nipple 16 which connects the flexible connector 16 to the tank 14. A valve 16 which is provided with suitable guiding means 16 cooperates with the nipple valve seat to control the fiow of fluid from the tank 14 through the openings 16, such valve being, in turn, controlled by the valve operating rod 17. The opening movement of the valve is opposed by a suitably provided spring 16 which closes and holds closed the valve when the rod 17 is released. The rod 17 is reciprocated to open and close the water valve by means of the sliding handle 18 which is slidably carried in and guided by an ex-- tended portion of the clamp 13. The end of this handle is turned outwardly so as to enable the same to be readily grasped by the operator without removing the hand from the curved grip portion of the handle 9. The

water tank is provided with a funnel-shaped.

fill opening 19 wh1ch may be constructed in any well-known manner to prevent the contents of the tank from splashing therefrom, and to prevent any fluid which may be in such tank from spilling when the handle is folded upon the housing 1.

When the handle 9 is folded u on the housing 1 in knife-like fashion it is dbsirable that these portions be locked together to facilitate movement of the folded machine to an upright position so that it may be propelled along the floor in its folded position. 1 accomplish this by the provision of a slot 20 in the front portion of the housing 1 and a spring catch position on clamp with a hook-like portion at its end which automatically snaps into and engages the slot 20 as the handle 9 is moved to the dotted line position of Fig. 1. The parts thus automatically become locked together and to unlock the same for movement of such parts to the full line position of Fig. 1 the springcatch 21 is moved outwardly away from the front the handle 9 by means of the 21 mounted at a corresponding 21 The spring catch 21 is formed of the housing 1 to disengage the same from the .slot 20.

.The brush holder 6 is adapted to take a rotary motion relative to the floor under treatment. This rotary movement is transmitted from the driving mechanism by means of the worm gear 4 and worm 4 The worm gear 4'? is carried upon the shaft 22 which finds suitable support and bearing in the sleeve like member 23. The worm and worm gear preferably operate in an oil or grease filled chamber and escape of the oil or grease from this chamber past the shaft 22 is prevented by the stuffing nut 24. The lower portion ofthe. shaft 22 is formed with a cylindrical enlargement 25 which has a diametrical and rectangular shaped lip 26 depending from its curved face. The depending lip 26 carries a transversely disposed tongue-like member 27. The member 27 has its central portion slotted to receive the depending lip 26 which has a curved end surface, these two parts being hingedly connected together by means of a pin. 28, the curved face of the member 25 and the rounded end of' the lip 26 permitting of a substantial and free hinging movement. It will be noted that the lower portion of the member 27- has a rounded face and the tongue part is slightly tapered, the purpose of which will be referred to hereinafter. The bottom of the member 27 is provided with a screw threaded opening adapted to receive a screw 29. A channel shaped locking member 30, which approximates the dimensions of the extreme bottom portion of the member 27, is rotatably mounted upon the screw 29 and is normally held against the bottom of the member 27 by the spring 31. This locking member 30 is adapted to lock the brush ring structure in position on the driving member 27 and is provided with a transverse groove 30 approximating the width of the bottom of the member 27 for holding the same in a position transversely of the bottom of the member 27 for the purpose to be described later.

The brush r1ng structure comprises an annular brush holder having a peripheral downwardly depending annular flange 32, and is also provided with a centrally disposed annular pocket 33 formed by the depending annular flange 34. The bottom of the pocket 33 is spanned by a dome shaped boss member 35 which is connected to the flange 34. at intervals by radially extending arms 36 whereby an annular series of slots 37 are formed at the bottom of the opening 33.

The brush holder is ada ted to carry a plurality of brushes 7 each of which comprise a bristle support and brush bristles. The bristle support may be made of wood or any other suitable material while the bristles may be of any desired material dependent upon the particular use to which the brushes ma be put. The outer portion of the bristle holder of each of the brushes 7 is semi-circular approximating the inner contour of the flange 32. An inverted groove 38 having a tapered side wall is providedthroughout the internal wall of the flange 32 while each of the brushes is provided with a reversed groove 39, having a complementally tapered side wall, the arran ement being such that the flange and brus grooves cooperate to produce a snug fit between these surfaces as shown in Fig. 2. A plurality of double armed leaf springs 40, corresponding in number to the brushes employed, are secured to the outer surface of the flange 34, the arms of such springs projecting outwardly toward the flange 32 and, in turn, towards the brushes 7 and being provided with sharp projections 40* adapted to engage the bristle supporting portion of the brushes. With the foregoing construction a brush may be applied to the brush holder by placing itsinner and straight side against the sharp projections 40 of the spring, forcing the spring backwardly under compression, and then snapping the grooved portion of the brush into place in the groove 38 in the flange 32 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When the brush has been so inserted in the brush holder it is held firmly in place in the flange groove by the pressure of the spring and is prevented from being displaced under any and all normal operating conditions. It will be noted that the brush in order to be removed from the brush holder must be moved inwardly against the pressure of the spring 40 in order to disengage the same from the groove 38 and such action will not take place during a normal operation of the machine, but, of course, the operator may readily force the brush inwardly against the pressure of. the spring 40 until the same may be disengaged from the groove 38 and removed from the holder. The brush holder is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending supporting lugs 7 a for supporting each of the brushes 7 at the proper position therein in addition to the groove 38 and springs 40. This also prevents the brushes from collapsing in-the brush holder when the weight of the machine is applied thereto in the position of Figure 1.

The boss member 35 is provided with a centrally disposed rectangular slot 41 which approximates the coupling member 27 in width but which is slightly longer than such member. In order to couple the brush holder, or the brush ring structure, to its driving mechanism, the forward end of the machine may be raised slightly or the machine may be locked in its folded position and then raised to a vertical position, after which the coupling member 27 is passed through the slot 41 and the locking member 30 then turned crosswise of the member 27 whereby disengagement of the brush holder from the member 27 is prevented. The transverse groove 30 and ceiving-pocket may ture permits movement of structure in every direction,

the lock 30 may be moved downwardly against the spring pressure 31 and turned parallel with the bottom of the member 27 whereupon the brush ring structure may be readily removed from such member.

The connection thus formed between the driving mechanism and the brush ring structhe brush ring tiltably and vertically relative to its support. A tiltable movement is permitted by the pivotal connection between the members 25 and 27 while a tiltable and wabble movement is permitted by the looseness of the member 27 in the slot 41 and by thetapered shape of such member 27. In this manner as the machine is propelled along the floor the brush ring structure will readily adjust itself to any and all irregularities appearing therein so that the brushes or other equipment carried thereby will contact uniformly with all portions 0 the surface under treatment.

When the machine is used as a scrubbing machine, water or a scrubbing solution is supplied through the pipe 15 and nozzle 15 into the central pocket 33 of the brush ring structure. This fluid passes from the central pocket through the slots 37 directly to the surface under treatment interiorly of the brushes 7. In this manner the supply of scrubbing solution is localized to that particular surface under treatment and the fluid is not disturbed romiscuously and thrown about by the brus es. The flow of the scrubbing fluid through the slots 37 is facilitated by the sloping surfaces of the dome shaped boss member 35. 3

In the operation of the machine for scrubbing, it is highly desirable that. the scrubbing fluid be directed positively toward the brush bristles adjacent the floor surface interiorly of the ring er brushes; If not provided against, there is a possibility that part the bottom of the central rebe thrown about promiscuous'ly onto the top of the brushes 7 and the surrounding mechanism, due primarily to the centrifugal action set up by the rotating brush s ructure. Also, unless provided against, the forward edges of the arms 36, during the rotation of the brush structure, may tend to strike the fluid passlng through the slots 37 in such a way, and with such force, as to dash and spray the fluid in all the slots 37 in directions and even upwardly through 'the pocket 33 upon the top of the brush strucf 9, at which time holder, referring to holder,

ture and exteriorly of the machine. The foregoing conditions would behighly undesirable and, to provide against the same, the underside of each of the arms 36 is provided with a downwardly extending ledge or guide 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) which extends tangentially inward from (and as a continuation of) the wall of the pocket. The fluid passing through the slots 37 is thereby directed inwardly at that particular point away from the top portions of the brushes 7. Once the fluid has passed the guides 42. the centrifugal action naturally throws the same downwardly and outwardly against the brush bristles within the brush ring structure. The forward edges of the arms 36 are cut away along the inner edge of the guides 42, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that such arms present a thin-edge surface to the fluid. Obviously, when this thin edge strikes the fluid no spraying or splashing action will take place. The guides 42, in extending diagonally across the underside of the arms 36 as shown, render such arms very strong regardless of the thinning of the edges thereof.

The operation of the machine for scrubbing purposes is obvious. The machine is propelled along the floor by means of the handle the electric switch 12 is operated to cause the motor 2 to operate and, in turn, rotate the brush ring structure and brushes 7. Scrubbing brushes, of the desired type are employed at this time and, when desired, the operator actuates the handle 18 to admit the scrubbing fluid to the pipe 15, nozzle 15 and to the surface under treatment.

According to my invention, the machine may be transformed to a sand-papering,

waxing, polishing, or the like, machine by removing the brushes 7 and inverting the brush holder of the brush ring structure 6. It will be noted that the boss member 35 is so arranged that the slot 41 is positioned at substantially the central portion of the brush height as well as width. When it is desired to use thismachine for sand-papering and the like, the brush ring structure of Fig. 2 is removed from the driving mechanism, the brushes 7 are then removed, and the brush holder inverted and again applied and locked upon the driving of the solution which is delivered through mechanlsm 1n the manner hereinafter described. If it is desired to use sand-paper upon the surface under treatment, I may then apply a pad 43 to the underside of the brush holder, then place a circular piece of sand-paper of the proper size upon and over the pad 43 and outer flange 32 of the brush and then clamp these parts together bythe use of a hoop 44, or other suitable retainer, in the manner shown in Fig. 6. The pad 43 serves as a cushion for the sand-paper 45 in oper'atingposition of the machine upon the floor. The brush holder mounted upon the driving mechanism in the manner shown in Fig. 6 is capable of a universal or wabble movement in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 2 so that the sand-paper will uniformly contact with the surface regardless of irregularities therein. In this instance, as in the case of scrubbing, the machine is propelled along the floor and the brush head and sand paper are caused to rotate thereupon and produce the obvious effect upon the floor. The hoop 44 is slightly tapered to readily and tightly fit the outer surface of the peripheral flange 32 of the brush holder with the sand-paper mounted thereon.

When it is desired to use the machine for waxing, the brush holder may be left in its inverted position as shown in Fig. 6 and as shown in Fig. 6 two or more layers of burlap material or some other suitable porous material, may be substituted for the sand-paper 45 of Fig. 6. In this instance a suitable wax paste or waxing material 45", or the like, may be placed between the layers 45 of the burlap, or other material may be, such material clamped in place by the hoop 44 in the same manner as the sandpaper 45 of Fig. 6. The brush holder and burlap material is then caused to rotate upon the floor, during which time, the wax oozes and finds its way through the burlap material on to the floor applying a coating of Wax thereto. The application of the wax to the floor in this manner may be aided somewhat by the heat developed by frictional engagement of the burla with the surface under treatment. In this manner floors may be very quickly waxed in a very highly efficient manner. After the wax has been applied to the floor the burlap material may be replaced by a polishing cloth and a high luster added to the floor by propelling the machine with its rotating brush head over the same. Also, it may be desirable to first use polishing brushes immediately after applying the wax and before using the polishing cloth. In that instance the burlap material and associated parts may be removed and the brush holder returned to the upright position of Fig. 2 and polishing brushes applied thereto in the manner above described. The machine is then propelled'along the floor and the brushes caused to rotate to produce the desired polishing effect. pletion of this operation it is not desired to again invert the brush head to apply a polishing cloth, a polishing cloth may be placed upon the floor beneath the polishing brushes and the brush ring structure caused to rotate, during which operation the cloth will be firmly held in place by the brushes in an obvious manner, and a high polish given to the floor as the machine is propelled along.

After the operator has finished treatment of the floor and desires to store the machine or move it to another room, the handle 9 is If after the com-' folded back upon the housin 1, during which operation the spring catc 21 engages the slot 20 and locks these parts together, and the folded machine is then moved to an upright position by means o the handle 9 and propelled along the floor in this position by such handle, all of which may be done without injury to the floor which has already been treated.

A still further use to which my invention may be put is to employ the fluid-container (tank) 14 for applying to the surface under treatment any and all fluids with which it may be desired to treat the same, the brush ring structure carrying suitable brushes for performing the desired work in each instance. One example of this is to employ the tank 14 as a liquid wax container, in which case the machine will be adapted to waxing the surface to be treated. To accomplish this, the liquid wax is fed from the tank 14 through the pipe 15 and nozzle 15 through the brush ring structure to the surface under treatment interiorly of the brushes of the brush ring structure. Suitable brushes are employed to properly and uniformly distribute and apply such Wax to wax the surface, all of these operations being carried out in the same manner as explained in connection with the machine as a scrubbing machine.

From the fore oing it is obvious that I have provided a highly efficient floor treating machine which is adaptable to a great variety of uses with a minimum of equipment and with a minimum of manipulation in operation. All parts are easily accessible and easily converted. The conversion of the machine from one use to another is accomplished very quickly. Floors may be cleaned quickly and without undue effort. Furthermore, in the operation of this machine the surface under treatment is acted upon in a uniform manner regardless of any and all irregularities therein with the result that the entire surface under treatment will have a uniform appearance in all respects after such treatment. The machine as a whole is compact and readily transported from one place to another.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 1

1. In a floor treating apparatus adapted for scrubbing, the combination of a driving mechanism, rotary-brush ring structure operatively connected to said driving mechanism and embodying a brush holder carrying brush means adapted to contact with the surface under treatment, a cleaning fluid receptacle, means for supporting said receptacle for gravity flow of fluid therefrom to said brush holder, means for manually controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle, and means on said brush holder for directing the flow of fluid from said receptacle to the surface under treatment interiorly of said brush ring,

said means including centrally nism, rotary directed guides for deflecting the fluid away from the 'upper part of the brush means.

2. In floor treating apparatus adapted for scrubbing, the combination of driving mechabrush ring structure operatively connected to said driving mechanism and embodying a brush head carrying brush means adapted to contact with the surface under treatment, a housing for said driving mechanism having its rear end mounted on wheels, the front of said housing being supported. by said brush means, a folding handle attached to said housing for propellingthe machine along the floor, a cleaning fluid tank carried by said handle and having manually operated means for controlling the flow of fluid therefrom, a conduit leading to a centrally disposed well formed in said brush ring structure, and guides in said brush ring structure for directing the flow of fluid from said conduit to the surface under treatment interiorly of said brush ring. z

'3. In floor treating apparatus, the combination of driving mechanism, rotary brush ring structure operatively connected to said drivingmechanism and embodying a brush holder carrying a ring of brushes adapted to contact with the surface under treatment, a housing for said driving mechanism, a handle for propelling the machine along the floor, a cleaning fluid tank normally carried by said handle in an upright position and having means for controlling the flow of fluid therefrom, means for directing the flow of fluid from .said tank to the surface under treatment interiorly of said ring of brushes, and means for folding said handle and tank upon said housing and for locking the same together in folded position as folding takes place, whereby the apparatus as a whole may be folded into a compact unit and may be transported from place to place on said wheels with said receptacle in an upright position.

4. In a floor treating machine, a rotary brush carrying structure having brushes thereon engageable with the surface under treatment, such structure having a centrally disposed slot therein, driving mechanism for imparting rotary motion to said structure, said driving mechanism having a veg'tical drive shaft, a connector hinged to the lower end of said shaft and having a portion adapted to engage said slot, said connector having its slot engaging portion tapered at the side and freely engaging said slot.

5. In a floor treating machine, a rotary brush carrying structure having a centrally disposed boss with an opening therein, and driving mechanism for transmitting rotary motion to said structure comprising a driven gear carrying a vertical shaft, a shaft extension hinged to the end of said shaft opposite said gear and having a rounded shoulder engageable with said boss and a depending portion reduced in size to freely engage in said'opening, the edges of said reduced portion being tapered to permit rocking of said boss and said brush carryin structure upon said rounded shoulder, an means carried by said extension only forlocking said brush carrying structure to said driving mechamsm.

6; In a floor treating apparatus, brush carrying structure comprising a brush head adapted to carry a ring of brushes and having a centrally disposed boss with an opening therein, and driving mechanism for transmitting a rotary motion to said structure comprising a vertical shaft with an extension hingedly connected to its lower end, said extension having a shoulder engageable with said boss and a depending portion reduced in size to engage in said opening an having the edges of such reduced portion tapered. to permit a rocking movement of said brush carrying structure upon said shoulder, and a yieldingly sup orted member carried by and normally hel against the bottom 0 said shaft extension and having a transverse groove approximating in width the thickness of the end of said extension for engaging said extension-crosswise thereof beneath said boss to lock said brush carrying structure to its driving mechanism.

7. In a floor treating machine, a rotary brush carrying structure, driving mechanism therefor, including a projecting drive shaft,' and means for automatically adjusting said brush carrying structure to the surface under treatment as the machine is propelled therealong, comprising a connector hingedly connected to the projecting end of said drive shaft and rockably engaged in an opposite direction with said brush carrying structure, and means for yieldably interlocking and holding said brush carrying structure and said driving mechanism together in their operative positions to prevent accidental uncoupling thereof.

8. In a floor treating machine, a brush carrying structure, driving mechanism including a vertical drive shaft for rotating said brush carrying structure, and means for connecting said structure and drive shaft and for automatically adjusting said brush carrying structure to the surface under treatment as the machine is propelled therealong, comprising a connector hinged to the lower end of said drive shaft, and loosely engageable with said brush carrying structure for movement of said structure in a plurality of directions, vertically and tiltably, and means for operatively interlocking said brush carrying structure and said driving mechanism to prevent accidental disengagement thereof without interfering with the tilting and reciprocatin movements of said structure.

9, In a cor treating machine, a brush carrying structure, driving mechanism for rotating said brush carrying structure, and means for automatically ad usting said brush carrying structure to the surface under treat ment as the machine is propelled along, said means embodying a slotted boss carried by said brush carrying structure and a vertical drive shaft with a tapered extension pivoted to the lower end thereof which passes through and beyond and is loosely engageable in said slotted boss, and yieldably supported means for locking said extension in its engaged position, but permitting of a wobbly movement of said structure.

10.- In a floor treating machine, a rotary brush holder having a centrally disposed cylindrical pocket having a convex bottom and a plurality of openings therein, brushes carried by said holder, means for feeding a fluid throu h said openings, and means for positively irecting the fluid which passes through said openings interiorly of said brushes and away from the top part thereof.

11. In a 'floor treating machine, driving mechanism, a rotary brush holder operatively connected to said driving mechanism and adapted to carry a ring of brushes, said holder comprising a downwardly depending peripheral flange, a downwardly depending annular and inwardly spaced flange forming a central well therein, resilient means for carrying and locking said brushes in place between said flanges, a driving connection boss located in said central well and connected to said inner central flange by a plurality of radial arms arranged to form a plurality of openings in the bottom of said well permitting the passage of a fluid therethrough interiorly of said ring of brushes to the floor beneath, means for delivering such fluid to said well and through said openings and guides connected at intervals to the lower rim ofsaid inner flange and projecting toward the center of said brush holder for conducting fluid as it passes through said openings downwardly and away from the top part of said brushes during the rotation of said brush holder structure, but permitting centrifugal action to throw the fluid which is passed through said openings toward the lower parts of the brushes which engage the floor.

12. In a floor treating machine, driving mechanism, a rotary brush holder operatively connected to said drivin mechanism adapted to carry a ring of rushes, said holder having a centrally disposed opening with an annular flange depending from its wall, said flange and opening forming a central pocket in the holder, a dome-shaped bottom for said pocket having an annular series of slots therein, and means located beneath said slots for positively directing any fluid which may pass through said slots toward the surface under treatment interiorly of said brhshes during the rotation of said brush holder.

13. In a floor treating machine, the combination of an invertible member having a connector element engageable in normal or reversed positions of said member, a ring of brushes carried by said member in engagement with the surface under treatment in its normal position, said brushes being held in a fixed position relative to said member durlIlg operation and'movement of the machine along the floor, driving mechanism, including a depending drive shaft engageable with said member in either its normal or inverted position for imparting rotary motion thereto, a connector member carried by the depending end of said drive shaft and a second connector member hinged to said first connector member and having a wabble connection with said member connector element.

14. In a floor treating machine, the combination of a member adapted to support a detachable floor treating element in contact with the surface under treatment, said element being held in a fixed position relative to said member during operation and during movement of the machine along the floor, driving mechanism including a drive shaft for imparting rotary motion to said member a connector member carried by said drive shaft, a second connector member hinged to said first connector member, said second connector member having a depending part which loosely engages an opening in said supporting member, said depending part being arranged for a limited vertical movement between it and said supporting member whereby the connection between said supporting member and drive shaft permits of tilting and vertical movement of said supporting member.

15. In a floor treating machine, a member adapted to support a floor treating element in contact with the surface under treatment, driving means for imparting rotary motion to said member, a connector part on said driving means, said part having a lower rounded face with a depending tongue, said tongue having an part having a slot in which said tongue is pivotally connected, said second connector also having a curved lower face with a depending tapered tongue, said latter tongue passing through and beyond a part of said member, locking the same to said member whereby said member and drive are operatively connected and said member is free to adjust itself vertically and tiltably to the surface under treatment.

16. In a floor treating machine, a driving mechanism, a support having a circular plane part with a centrally located opening, said support including a peripheral vertical flange, .and another similar flange spaced inarc-shaped end, another connector and means on said latter tongue for wardly from said first flange formin an annular brush-receiving space there etween, said latter flange with said opening forming a cylindrical pocket at the center of said support, a connector member located in said pocket and positioned centrally in said pocket with respect to height and width of said support, said connector member being slotted to receive a part of said driving mechanism.

17. In a floor scrubbing machine, a circular brush support having a cylindrical pocket therein, a convex bottom for said pocket having a slotted central part,

an annular downwardly extending flange concentric with the side wall of said pocket and spaced therefrom to form a space therebetween, and driving mechanism having a part engageable with the slotted part of said bottom for imparting rotary movement to said support.

-1 8. In a floor treating machine, rier, brush means supported by said carrier, means for rotating said carrier, having a plurality of slots at its mid-part, fluid deflecting ribs carried by the surfaces between said slots and extending diagonally inward from the outward, part of said surfaces, the edges of said surfaces presented forwardly in the rotation of said carrier being thin-edged to reduce spraying of thefluid passing through said slots and means for feeda. brush ing the fluid to said slots.

19. In a floor treating machine, carrier having a well formed in its mid-part, brush means supported by said carrier and surrounding said well, said: well having a slotted bottom, guides depending from the the slots of the bottom of said well adjacent latter and extending diagonally inward from the side wall of said well for deflecting fluid passing through said slots from the top of said brush means, and means for feeding a cleaning fluid to said well.

20. In a floor treating machine, a brush carrier having a well formed in its mid-part,

brush means supported by said carrier and surrounding said well, said well having a slotted bottom, the edges of the well bottom surface between said bottom slots presented forwardly during the rotation of said carrier being thin-edged to cut through liquid passing through said slots with a minimum of splashing, and means for feeding a cleaning liquid to said well.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name. 1 WALTER S. FINNELL.

centrally located brush receiving a brush carsaid carrier 

